Fifty-Two Maldivian Pilot Students in Spain Receive Loan Extensions

The Ministry of Higher Education, Labour and Skills Development has extended loans for 52 of the 127 Maldivian students currently pursuing pilot training in Spain. 

The decision follows ongoing challenges faced by the students, including visa delays, rising costs, insufficient stipends, and training periods exceeding the initial loan terms.

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The matter gained wider attention in February when aviation students in Barcelona wrote to Higher Education Minister Dr Ali Haidar Ahmed, outlining financial and logistical difficulties. In May, the minister held a virtual meeting with the students. 

The issue was later raised in Parliament after Mohamed Ibrahim, Maldivian Democratic Party MP for Galolhu North, wrote to the Speaker in July stating that delays in loan disbursements had caused some students to be expelled from their courses. Minister Haidar was subsequently summoned to the Parliamentary Petitions Committee.

During the committee’s meeting this week, the minister said he had engaged with the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to address the concerns. He noted that a proposal had been submitted to the Ministry of External Affairs on 23 June to work with Spanish authorities on resolving the visa crisis. 

Under this arrangement, student details are being sent to the Maldivian High Commission in New Delhi to facilitate visa applications to the Spanish Embassy. Students are required to make appointments through BLS International, the Spanish visa service provider.

Minister of State for Higher Education Dr Abdul Raheem Hassan explained that loans are issued in instalments based on the institution’s fee schedule, with disbursements made every six months after verifying active enrolment. 

He said funds would not be released to students whose status cannot be confirmed. The current increase aims to address dissatisfaction over the initial amounts and marks the third year of top-up loan provision. These loans carry no interest and are repayable over 20 years, but documentation on course costs and duration is required before release.

Minister Haidar acknowledged ongoing communication difficulties and announced that a mobile application will be launched before October to allow students to submit complaints directly to the ministry.